Can anyone advise me on checking out an online RN to BSN program?

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2004

Thanks, RN4NICU.

I will look into the U of W program.

Being 39, having been a nurse for 12 years, having had another career before nursing, and already having a ton of useless filler college classes, I feel well-rounded enough.

I would love to be able to get a BSN in two years, part time. But every program has so many filler requirments, and classes I already know I don't need as a nurse. It will probably take me 5-7 years to get a BSN part-time.

I wish I could design my own BSN program, and take only classes that would be relevent, and of use to me as a nurse.

I just hate the thought wasting so much time and money on filler.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 13, 2004

Well, I know that you mentioned the cost up-front but I have to tell you that I finished a BSN-completion program through University of Phoenix in 18 months part-time and had very few "filler" classes - two math classes, one stats course. Good luck.

Vanfnp · Sep 13, 2004

I too am finishing an RN to BSN program. At first, I felt the "non-nursing" courses were a waste of my limited time and money. I had over 100 college credits but not in the right areas! However, now in my last semester (woohoo!!), I have to say that the art, religion and other humanities classes had an immeasurable, positive impact on my nursing practice. You too might be surprised....in a good way!

Best of luck...

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2004

.
I wish I could design my own BSN program, and take only classes that would be relevent, and of use to me as a nurse.
I just hate the thought wasting so much time and money on filler.

I hear you. I go part-time taking one class at a time and four semesters is what it's going to take to finish these filler courses. I've got tons of courses that they don't require that my other colleges did, like American Literature, Marriage and Family, on and on. I've got more filler than nursing courses. :rotfl:

Would be nice if there was a program that acknowledge the experience. "O.K. you've been an RN for 12 years, you're well rounded enough and don't need to study humanities or ethics right now to be a BSN because that's your life already.".

bwalston · Sep 16, 2004

I would stay far, far away from the Canyon College program. Their RN-to-BSN program is not accredited by the NLN OR the CCNE, which are the only two accreditations that are accepted by any graduate school. It appears the degree from there would be worth little more than the paper it is printed on (if that much).

EXCELLENT advice! Canyon College claims accreditation from the following:

Central States Consortium of Colleges and Schools, (CSCCS)

The National Board of Education (NBOE)

The American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board (ANMAB)*

*info from Canyon College Website

None of these three so called accrediting agencies is a federally recognized agency -ergo, no financial aid. Canyon is not accredited by one of the regional agencies (for example, the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges) either, which means that should you desire to pursue graduate work at a regionally accredited institution your Canyon BSN would be worthless.

The University of Wyoming program is excellent. As are the ones offered by the University of South Alabama and Fort Hays State University. If independent study is your thing, the BSN offered by Thomas Edison State College is very good. All of these are regionally accredited colleges or universities, and, if I recall correctly, all of the programs are at least NLN accredited.

Hope this helps.

Bill

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2004

I hear you. I go part-time taking one class at a time and four semesters is what it's going to take to finish these filler courses. I've got tons of courses that they don't require that my other colleges did, like American Literature, Marriage and Family, on and on. I've got more filler than nursing courses. :rotfl:
Would be nice if there was a program that acknowledge the experience. "O.K. you've been an RN for 12 years, you're well rounded enough and don't need to study humanities or ethics right now to be a BSN because that's your life already.".

Exactly!

I've got Art, Drawing, 3 PE classes, Survey of Human Diseases" Theology, Philosophy, Spanish, Communications, 3 writing classes, 3 English classes, Soc, 3 Psych classes, 2 math classes, etc. And still, they want me to take more of this stuff?

How about something practical like "How to give your best care when understaffed" or "How to form a nurses' union"?

Now, those are some classes that would be useful! :rotfl:

Thanks for your comments, everyone. I guess I won't persue Canyon any further. I'm really disappointed. Canyon's BSN program is the only one I've looked at in a long time that actually looks fun and relevent.